ParalympicsGB will award every athlete to have represented the nation with a token that recognises their place in history after new initative launched by Tanni Grey-Thompson and other past stars
ParalympicsGB have launched an initiative to bring every athlete to have competed at a summer or winter Games into a community that recognises their contribution to history.
More than 1,000 athletes, dating back to 1960, are yet to be tracked down. And the families of competitors who have passed away are also being urged to get in touch so the governing body can recognise their loved ones’ efforts in growing the community.
The Athlete Community initiative was launched in central London on Tuesday morning, with Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and trailblazing cross-country skier Mike Brace among those in attendance.
Grey-Thompson, who appeared at five Paralympic Games, said: “Over the last 70 years, there have been so many unsung heroes who deserve some recognition and I hope that our new Athlete Community can go a long way in ensuring that our Paralympians are all connected and are recognised for own individual experiences and achievements.
“I am excited to be able to reconnect with old friends and teammates, and make new memories as a community of shared experience, but all unique stories and journeys.”
Athletes will be given a token for every Games that they have competed at – similar to caps awarded to football internationals.
And the chair of ParalympicsGB Nick Webborn CBE added: “This is an initiative that we have been wanting to introduce for some time, but we also wanted to get it right.
“By doing that in consultation with athletes we are now at that place, and I am delighted that we can finally launch this initiative.
“I am however conscious that of the thousands of people who have represented Great Britain & Northern Ireland since 1960, there will be those British Paralympians who are no longer with us. Once we have established the contact details of family and friends, it would be appropriate to recognise them collectively in some way.”
If you, or someone you know, has previously competed for Great Britain & Northern Ireland at a Paralympic Games, you can help celebrate these extraordinary achievements by getting in touch with ParalympicsGB. We want to hear from family members of deceased Paralympians to ensure that they are also recognised in our history. Visit www.paralympics.org.uk/athlete-community to find out more.
